Best Fishing Video Games

Thanks to modern technology, you can enjoy the thrill of fishing without ever leaving your house!

Over the years, numerous companies have all tried their hands at making various fishing games. However, the results haven’t always been the best. Fortunately, we’ve sorted through every major release in order to bring you our list of the seven best fishing video games of all time.

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1. The Strike

This is a game that was developed with immense care. When you play The Strike, you quickly realize that the developers have a passion for fishing. The game offers a level of realism that few other titles can match.

The game’s realistic gameplay makes it tough but fun. You can enjoy the life-like challenge of casting your rod and then reeling in impressively sized fish.

You can also take this game to its next level by using the official controller rod that you can buy with the Wii edition of The Strike. This rod does a good job at simulating a real fishing pole, and it even has built-in rotors that provide realistic shaking and tension whenever you cast your line or hook a fish.

The Strike is available for the Wii and Xbox 360.

2. Pro Fishing Challenge

This is more of a simulator than a traditional game. And that’s great, because Pro Fishing Challenge gives you a hyper-realistic fishing experience. You’re given an unparalleled level of detail and customization, allowing you to choose everything from your rig setup to specific lure types. It’s very in-depth and something that definitely appeals to a serious fishing crowd.

When you’re looking for a game that lets you realistically simulate actual fishing trips, there’s no better option than this game.

Pro Fishing Challenge is available on the Xbox.

3. Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream

This is a good game for exploring the more exotic aspects of fishing. In it, you’ll be able cast your rod in a variety of unusual locations, all while reeling in some of the rarest and most sought-after fish. It’s a fun way to experience a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip without having to shell out tens of thousands of dollars.

Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream contains more than 40 different fresh and salt water fish species to catch, as well as some “legendary” variants that are tougher to track down. You’ll also be able to explore numerous exotic fishing locations, ranging from pristine mountain streams to tropical beaches.

If you want to enjoy high-end fishing trips without a high price tag, then this game is a fun alternative.

Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream is available on the Nintendo Wii.

4. Rapala Pro Bass Fishing

No other game captures the feel of a competitive fishing tournament quite like Rapala Pro Bass Fishing. It really goes through great lengths to recreate the experience of being part of a contest. There’s an in-game commentary system, with voice work from InFisherman TV’s Barry Brueland, as well as dynamic leader boards. These features add a deeper layer of realism to the gameplay.

In single-player mode, your goal is to win multiple tournaments and ultimately become season champion. To do this, you must compete in a series of different challenges, up to 20 per season, and outscore all of your opposition. It’s structured just like an actual Bassmaster Elite event.

Additionally, the game contains more than 50 different two-player contests that let you face-off against a friend. These challenges are quite varied, and they do a good job at letting you compete with people you know.

This is a good game for capturing the competitive fishing experience. It pits you against opponents, makes you compete for points, and has you partaking in a whole series of interconnected contests and tournaments.

Rapala Pro Bass Fishing is available on a variety of different systems, including the PS3, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii.

5. Mark Davis’ The Fishing Master

This is an old SNES game. But don’t let the age fool you, it’s still highly realistic.

What sets Mark Davis’ The Fishing Master apart from its more modern counterparts is difficulty. Put simply, this game is hard. And for good reason, it’s meant to be as realistic as possible.

While many newer fishing games make themselves too easy, almost guaranteeing that you’ll catch something each time you cast your rod, this game uses a much more grounded approach. If you aren’t using the right lures, or are situated in the wrong part of the lake, you won’t get anything.

This system forces players to learn what works and what doesn’t. It’s a steep learning curve, but once you’ve figured it out you’ll be reeling in impressive catches with ease. The game does an excellent job with conveying an authentic fishing experience, and it offers up enough challenge to remain engaging years after its release.

Mark Davis’ The Fishing Master is available on the SNES.

6. Shimano Xtreme Fishing

Here’s something you don’t see every day, spearfishing. In Shimano Xtreme Fishing you’re given the option between catching fish with a traditional rod and reel, or snagging them through either spear or bow fishing.

This game also includes some other unusual aspects like being able to scuba dive underwater, and having you avoid aggressive sharks and hungry alligators.

In addition to its unique gameplay, Shimano Xtreme Fishing offers up plenty of fun. The single-player campaign lasts over 10 hours, with a points based reward system that lets you unlock new outfits and equipment. There are also two distinctly different gameplay modes, letting you play through the missions twice. Once with a traditional fishing pole, and once with a speargun.

Shimano Xtreme Fishing is available on the Nintendo Wii.

7. Bassmasters 2000

Fishing games really hit their stride on the Nintendo 64. And Bassmasters 2000 was the game that started it all. This is an older title, but it’s still plenty of fun and worth picking up if you like retro games.

The game has high production values for its time. It’s voiced by professional fisherman Shaw Grigsby, and has a soundtrack that’s quite memorable. These details really help to make the game polished, and they are what has enabled the game to stand the test of time.

The gameplay itself is good too. You can choose from four different modes, each of which offers its own unique challenges. Tournament mode is the main campaign, and it tasks you with winning the Bassmaster Classic. However, there are also casting, speed fishing, and exhibition modes as well. All of these modes play great, and they’re still enjoyable to this day.

For some retro gaming fun, and a quality fishing simulation, this video game is worth checking out.

Tips by Fishing Type

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